Actor Lokesh Batta, renowned for his roles in Dabangg 3, Naagin 6, and Udariyaan, recently stepped into the police uniform for the first time in Watcho Exclusives' Oh My Wife! In the series, he portrayed the character of Ranbir, a courageous and adaptable police officer investigating a high-profile murder case. Currently focusing on building his career in both the OTT space and films, Lokesh revealed that it was writer-director Shaurya Singh’s narration of the story and character that intrigued him to join the series.
Preparing for the role was not much of a challenge for him as he drew inspiration from real-life cops, and donning the police uniform filled him with pride. Lokesh, who has been receiving praises from audiences, recently opened up about the bond he shares with co-stars Mudasir Bhat and Sneha Singh Sisodia, his dreams of being a part of a Bollywood cop universe, acting inspirations, and more.
Q.1) Tell us about your bond with the cast
The entire cast bonded extremely well, and very naturally. We became friends within a few days. Honestly, we did not realise how the shooting days passed by. Especially with Mudasir, I developed a brotherly bond, all thanks to our chit-chat over cricket during our makeup sessions. Our friendship also helped us in doing our scenes faster and better.
Q.2) Which Bollywood cop universe would you want to be a part of?
Without a second thought, I’d love to be a part of Rohit Shetty’s Singham universe. I love the universe Rohit Shetty creates. While it is larger-than-life with loads of action, drama, emotions, it still is so perfectly balanced that you get pulled into it. From the story to the direction, everything is nearly perfect in Singham, and being a part of it would be a great experience.
Q3) How did your experience working on a blockbuster like Dabangg 3 influence your approach to playing a cop in Oh My Wife!?
Honestly, I didn't take inspiration from Salman Khan's cop character in Dabangg 3. Our roles are quite different, and Salman Khan has a unique charm that people have loved for many years. I prefer a more natural approach to acting, and I add my own style to the role. I don’t believe in copying anyone, and want my audience to connect to the character very naturally, without being over the top.
Q4) Who do you look up to when it comes to acting?
I don’t look up to anybody. It’s my individual journey. I don’t follow anyone as each one has their own journey. I follow people’s discipline and consistency. For instance, I admire Hrithik Roshan, who I have worked with in the upcoming film Fighter. His discipline and dedication are commendable. I believe you cannot copy anyone’s style, and be like them. So, it's best to work on your own individuality.
Q5) Who would you like to work with in the future?
As far as collaboration is concerned, I’d definitely want to work with Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor. They’re some of the finest actors in the industry, and I manifest to work with them. They’re actors who don’t go over-the-top with their characters, instead, they get into the skin of the character and bring the character on screen very organically. So yes, I wish to work with them in the coming days.
Available on Watcho, Oh My Wife!, crafted by writer and director Shaurya Singh, emerges as a suspenseful thriller starring Mudasir Bhat, Lokesh Batta, Sneha Singh Sisodia, and Deepanshi N. Shakya in pivotal roles. In this Watcho Exclusives series, the storyline revolves around Vivek, a skilled forensic expert navigating personal turmoil amidst a high-profile murder case. Watch Oh My Wife!' on Watcho now